Question

identify the correlation coefficient r that is most likely to correspond with the scatterplot below.
show your work here
\\( r = -0.87 \\) \\( r = -0.54 \\)
\\( r = 0.01 \\) \\( r = 0.61 \\)
\\( r = 0.97 \\)

Explanation:

Step1: Determine correlation direction

The scatterplot shows points trending downward from left to right, indicating a negative correlation. So r is negative.

Step2: Assess correlation strength

The points are moderately clustered around a downward line—not perfectly tight (ruling out r=-0.87/-0.97) nor scattered randomly (ruling out r=0.01/0.61). A moderate negative r fits.

Step3: Match with options

Among negative options, r=-0.54 is moderate negative; r=-0.87 is strong negative (too tight for the plot).

Answer:

A. r = -0.54